The Yamazaki 18

Back in October 2019, I took a trip to Osaka, Japan, and while there I managed to score a spot on a distillery tour at the Yamazaki distillery, about half way between Kyoto and Osaka. I'll perhaps write a review about this distillery later, but one of the amazing things about this distillery is its tasting bar. They have a huge range of Suntory brand whiskies to try at very low prices. Not wanting to miss such a wonderful opportunity, I took full advantage of this and ordered myself a set of hard-to-find whiskies. One of them was this wonderful dram. the Yamazaki 18.

As one of the most decorated whiskies in Suntory’s inventory, The Yamazaki 18 is perhaps the most sought after Japanese single malt in the world at the moment, coming just off the back of winning yet another gold medal in 2018. Demand is high while supply is almost non existent, largely in part to Suntory discontinuing this whisky in order to build up their stocks of aged spirits. In the rare chance that you do see this whisky on a shelf on any liquor store, expect it to have a considerable, almost criminal markup. Yet it wasn’t always so. Back in 2010, you could get it for $100. Now? You might be lucky to get it for $800.

Even ordering this whisky at a bar will burn a very large hole in your wallet, but that’s the beauty of trying it at the paid tasting bar in the Yamazaki distillery! it was a mere ¥600 (W6,000 /$6). Comparatively speaking, it’s a steal!

Vitals:

ABV: 43%

Colour: Amber-gold

Chill-filtered: information deficient, but likely.

Nose: A strong oloroso sherry note bursting with red fruits, a little bit of grape mustiness and lots of caramel and molasses. Plums, dried apricots and a touch of vanilla are also present on closer inspection. 23/25

Palate: Well what can I say? This is simply divine. A creamy butterscotch and vanilla ice cream, drenched in rich caramel sauce and black raspberry coulis, then sprinkled with a dash of cocoa powder. Delicious, incredibly smooth and rich. Sweet, yet not overpoweringly so. 25/25

Finish: As it draws to its end, it takes on a more nutty character. An ambrosia of dried prunes, dried apricots, raisins, walnuts and caramelised pecans intermingle as it slowly fades out. 25/25

Value*: Once upon a time, this whisky would have had fantastic value for money. However, over the years the market price has rapidly appreciated as Japanese whisky caught on in the rest of the world, leading to the current, absurdly inflated prices for an 18 year old whisky. Try this at a bar, sure, but you'd be absolutely crazy to buy at current prices. 5/25

Conclusion:

After drinking this, it’s incredibly easy to see why it’s such a sought after dram. Like its younger 12 year old sibling, it’s a role-player determined to give you an experience like no other whisky can. The 12 is breakfast, while the 18 is dessert. I am no expert by any means, but this might be one of the finest whiskies I have ever tried. It was complex, but not overwrought. It was sweet, but not overly so. It was smooth, but not to the point of boring mediocrity. It lacked the peat smoke that I usually love in my whiskies, but you know what? I’m okay with that.

Basic Rating(N+P+F): 97.3%

Price Adjusted Rating(N+P+F+V)*: 78%

Daily Drinker: No. Save this for special occasions.

Possible pairing: Cheese, chocolate

Where to find in Korea: Bars only, but the price per glass will make you cry.

TLDR Version:

N: Red fruits, grape skins, caramel, molasses, plums, dried apricots and vanilla.

P: Butterscotch, cream, caramel and black raspberries with hints of chocolate.

F: Long, dried fruits, caramelised pecans & walnuts rounding off a gentle fade

V: Eyewateringly expensive for an 18 year old

Buy / Mooch / Pass: Mooch from a friend, or win the lottery!

Review by Glasgowhisky

2020/01/18